Reviews the development of composition research and suggests ways to forestall minimum competency policies in writing instruction. (AEA)

California has close to 2,000 privately owned schools that offer vocational programs not leading to a degree. These include schools providing training and certification for a wide variety of careers in such areas as computer technology, cosmetology, health care, and other business and technical occupations. In addition, there are over 300…

In this litigation, parents of elementary school students in Lynn, Massachusetts, challenge their city's school assignment plan, the Lynn Plan, because it takes race into account in permitting children to transfer from their neighborhood schools to other schools within the district. Since implementation of the Lynn Plan entitles the Lynn Public…

This update summarizes the first 2 years of a 5-year evaluation of the implementation of California's Proposition 227 (which replaces the state's bilingual education programs with 1-year English immersion programs) and its effects on the education of English language learners (ELLs). Researchers used the percentage of ELLs receiving primary…

In February 2000, the Connecticut Department of Higher Education reported on accountability measures for higher education developed by the Higher Education Coordinating Council in response to the requirements of Public Act 99-285. That report identified 180 accountability measures for higher education. A copy of the executive summary of that…

This report asserts that there are inaccuracies in proponents claims that vouchers represent an opportunity for families of color to achieve a more equitable education for their children. Six sections discuss "The Problematic Background of Proposition 38 and Other Voucher Programs" (the racist history of vouchers and the current national…

Educational choice can improve educational achievement and states' bottom lines. Not only do choice programs help students from lower-income families attend schools that they otherwise might not be able to attend, but they can also save money in the process. A record number of state legislatures have considered school choice legislation this year,…

This monograph presents the results of the seventh annual survey of state school finance legislation with an overview of legislation passed in 2000, abstracts of all bills passed, and a trend analysis dating back to 1994, including both established and emergent trends. Established trends in the funding areas of educational technology, school…

This paper provides a brief overview of the purpose and process of establishing competency-based standards for college admissions in the state of Washington. The state's Higher Education Coordinating Board is required by law to establish minimum requirements for admission to Washington's public baccalaureate institutes. The current policy, adopted…

This paper reports findings of a study that explored the changing role of school principals in Washington State. Data were collected during stage 1 through focus-group interviews at an annual conference of a Washington State principals' association. During stage 2, a questionnaire was sent to all members (n=2,431) of the Association of Washington…

Public schools in the United States will face significant infrastructure needs within the next few years. Some of the numerous issues surrounding these needs, as they affect Nevada's schools, are detailed in this report. Current practices in Nevada have followed those of other quickly growing school systems in which funds are being diverted from…

This paper sets out the legal grounds for sexual harassment claims in education settings, and notes a number of pertinent cases that are illustrative of common legal and factual issues. Sexual harassment, including sexual abuse, is prohibited by federal and state statutes. Sexual harassment in the context of employment constitutes employment…

This study attempts to fill a gap in information about the effects of immigration in California and the policy trade-offs it engenders. The study provides an assessment of 30 years of immigration in California, home to one-third of the nation's immigrants, including a profile of the changing character of immigrants and their effect on the state's…

There is a growing sense that education policymakers need to become more sensitive to the inequities and inefficiencies associated with the generation of local resources for education, particularly the property tax. The purpose of this book is to provide insight into issues surrounding the generation of local revenues for public education in…

In response to a state supreme court decision that the state's system of schooling was unconstitutional, the Kentucky legislature passed the Kentucky Education Reform Act of 1990. In December, 2000, a Louisville conference brought together educators, policymakers, and researchers to discuss research findings and lessons learned during 10 years of…